The Columbus Crew SC Foundation, the charitable arm of the Black & Gold, today announced plans to help construct a soccer field complex at McCoy Park in Columbus. The project, set to build and maintain multiple fields at the park, is in conjunction with Columbus Recreation and Parks and the Berliner Action Team for Sports and is part of the Crew SC Foundation's goal to further create soccer space and programming in the Central Ohio community.
Located just off of I-71 and Greenlawn Avenue, construction on the project is set to begin next spring and is also supported by Barbasol, Scotts and CheckSmart.
"Crew SC Foundation is proud to partner with the Berliner Action Team for Sports and the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department to retrofit the McCoy Park field for soccer purposes," said Andy Loughnane, Columbus Crew SC Foundation Board Member and President of Business Operations for Columbus Crew SC. "We look forward to continuing our mutually beneficial relationship with Recreation and Parks, which has already produced successful investments and results at Innis Park and Medina Middle School, and to work with other great organizations such as BATS in developing fields in the City of Columbus where members of the community can experience the joy of the great game of soccer."
The complex is slated to include six fields, four of which are full-size, multi-purpose fields and two of which are youth-size. All six fields are set to be natural grass. Funding for the project includes the permanent irrigation needed to maintain these fields at an elite level for competition.
"We are excited to continue our partnership with Columbus Crew SC Foundation and the Berliner Action Team for Sports (BATS) by developing soccer fields at McCoy Park," said Columbus Recreation and Parks Director Tony Collins. "Columbus is home to many philanthropic and civic-minded organizations that are integral to our mission of providing access to quality parks and various recreation opportunities to all residents. Thanks to Crew SC and BATS for their commitment to Columbus."
One of the core areas of focus of the Columbus Crew SC Foundation is field development, and in recent years, the Foundation has built or supported numerous projects, such as the Crew SC Foundation Field at MAPFRE Stadium, the Huy Road Park Fields, the Krumm Park Futsal Court and the Innis Park Fields.
Following Crew SC's advancement to the Eastern Conference Championship, the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs resume on Sunday, November 22 after a League-wide bye weekend for the FIFA international window. After the international window, Crew SC is set to host the First Leg of the Eastern Conference Championship against the New York Red Bulls on Sunday, November 22. The match kicks off at 5:00 p.m. ET and is set to be nationally televised on ESPN, as well as available locally on the radio on CD102.5 FM (English) and La Mega 103.1 (Spanish).
